The Washington Program in National Issues was established in 1973 through the initiative of Washington-based alumni who sought to provide Kent State University undergraduates with a unique living and learning experience in the nation’s capital. Open to junior and senior students from all academic disciplines, the full 15-week spring semester program is administered through the Department of Political Science.

The purposes of the program are to accomplish the following:

Facilitate learning about the U.S. political system through briefings with government officials and other working professionals in Washington, DC

Develop a personal understanding of the demands and rewards of the professional work world through an internship experience

Encourage initiative through individualized research, which may involve resources at the Library of Congress, among other sites

Students participate in internships—in places such as Capitol Hill, in a governmental agency or with an interest group—and attend seminars. The program requires a semester-long residence in the Washington, DC, area. Alumni in the nation's capital continue to support the program by introducing students to the culture and serving as consultants and mentors.

As a top Ohio undergraduate and graduate school, Kent State's eight campuses offer the resources of a large university with the friendly atmosphere of a liberal arts college. Enroll today to start pursuing your future at one of the best colleges in Ohio. We’ve been educating graduates for over 100 years; join us today.